Round-track tongue switch



Nov. 6, i923.

' R. B. OLDER ROUND TRACK TONGUE swITcH Filed July 25 E mn u @m s mm QMM. @w f@ f/ QN E i--- @s QQ E Sgm l P s o Iiwf U 1 r\\\ l I :IH l l U0QN l 'vwl l x I |I`. It. I 4l \\\f l Jo o O QN v W s o -mkx l.. @wn .n Ebm. Q QQ w .Il l 1 ,||\\\H- ll- NW il i Q l l G f \`\a\ x I L @m QMrlflflw um mw @B mv mm 5M mv w @au fg VIN El S

ROY BURTON OLDER, or nANvrLLE, rLLrNOrs, AssreNoR To ALLITH-PROUTY COM-PANY, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS,

a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

ROUND-TRACK TONGUE 'SWITCH Application filed July 25, 1921. Serial No.487,353.

To @ZZ '1r/mm t 11mg/ concern.'

Be it known that l, ROY B. OLDER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Danville, in the county of Tfermilion and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Round-Track TongueSwitches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switches for overhead carrier systems and hasparticular reference to a tongue switch for round track carrier systems.

An object of :my invention is to provide a tongue switch for round trackoverhead carrier systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a round track tongueswitch adaptable for use with overhead carrier systems.

A further Object is to provide a switch for overhead carrier systemswhich will be easy to manufacture and install and which will be positivein operation.

A still further object is to provide a tongue switch for overheadcarrier systems' ywhich will be adapted for successful commercial use.

Generally speaking, I carry out the pref ferred embodiment of myinvention by employing two or three switch members,as

the case may be, for use with a two or three way carrier system. Theswitch members are supported from brackets secured above the track insuch manner that the switch members may swing in an arcuate path whilebeing supported by the attaching brackets.

The invention relates to tongue 'switches for overhead carrier systemsin which the tracks are double or parallel and made of 40 circularformation commonly known as round tracks. Such systems comprise atrackway of two parallel tracks usually supported from between theparallel tracks on suitable hangers or supports to enable the carrierhangers to run on the outside of the Y trackway for supporting the loadstherefrom, consequently a switch tongue for round track carrier systemsof the kind contemplated must necessarily comprise two track members andit is therefore manifest that a tongue switch comprising trackways eachof two track members could not be hinged like a single tongue.L In minvention the tongue -is -pivoted to the branch tracks instead of to themain track kby a pivot which is behind the ends of the branch members,and furthermore the' tongue tracks are bent in a slight compound or re-`verse curve to permit proper register ofthe ends of the tongue trackswith the main and branch tracks. The ends of the branch tracks are cuton a concave arc while thecorresponding ends of the tongue tracks arecut on a convex arc; in a like manner the yend of the main track is outon a concave arc while the ends of the tongue tracks are cut on a convexarc, the center of the several arcs being the pivotal center of thetongue switch. By` pivoting the tongue behind the ends of the branchtracks the 'tongue will have a sliding relation with respect 'to thebranch and main tracks instead of a hinging action with one and asliding action with f the other. Furthermore, I provide a sup'- portingstructure for the tongue which consists of track supports depending fromsuitable shelf brackets which co-operate with shelf brackets fastenedswitch and overhead brackets are arranged to slide in an arcuate path,the center of which arc is the pivotal center of the switch. Furthermorethe Several switch brackets are connected with longitudinal 1bracemembers and if desired by cross brace members. I alsoA provide a lockfor r preventing displacement of the switch when in selected switchingposition which co-operates between the main Vtrack and `thecorresponding end of the tongue switch. The lock is operated in suchmanner by a chain so as to not only 4be unlocked but also to overhead.The

swing the switch laterally into non-switchswitch embodying the preferredform of the' invention.

Figure 2 isa side elevation of rangement of Figure Il. Y.

Figure 3 `is al cross 'section `sho-wing vone manner of supporting Vthetrack `members forming the switch.

the ar- The "embodiment of ythe *invention herein selected to illustratemy invention shows a two way switch in which 5 is a main sinf'le trackcomprising parallel track memb 5 and 5". The hangersxnot shown adapt 'ilo run on the track comprise laterally spaced wheels or rollers on thetrack member.' 5 and 5b, the load being supported by portions of thehangers depending from the wheel axles outside of the track members 5aand 5b. 6 and 7 are two branch track ways comprising track members 6a,6b and 7a, 7 ot the same torm and construction as described withreference to the single tack For switching a carrier from track toeither tracks 6 or 7, or trom either tracks 6 or 7 to track 5 the noveLswitch ot in invention is provided.

The switch members are designated generally by the reterence charactersand E, and comprise track members 8, 9 and 10, 11., respectively. Thetrack members A and B being formed on round track portions 8, 9, 10 andv11 supported in manner to be hereinafter described and preferably areAtorn'ied as compound curves in plan, the curve being syminetriral withrespect to a center through the switch. Each ot the track members and Bcomprises round track members 8. 9 and 10, 11 ot the same contour andsize as the round track members ot the track ways 5, 6 and 7. In Figure3 one manner ot supporting the round track members is shown and includesa. depending` bracket 12 with laterally extending portions 18 and 14which are adapted to tit within the round track members, designated inthis gure as 15, 16, it being understood, however, that the rcterencecharacters 15, 16 are used tor the purpose orn explanation with respectto this particular tigure. As it will be observed, the round trackmembers 1.6v and 16 have openings 15a, 16s extending through the lengththereof, so that the bracket members as many as desirable may be fittedat the ends ot the members 15 and 16 and slid thcrealong to whateverposition may be desirable for propcrlv supporting the track.

For securing the switch to the superstructure. l have provided aplurality ot brackets 17. 18 and 19. all ot which have apertures 20through which bolts, lag screws or other attaching means may pass forsecuring the brackets in overhead position to support the switch. Thebrackets 17, 18 and 19 are substantially Z-shaped in vertical section,the upper lateral extension being that which is fastened to thesuperstructure, and the lower lateral extension serving as ay lip orprotection for supporting members carrying the track supporting brackets12. This construction may be observed from the drawings and is indicatedin Figure 2. There the bracket 17 has upper lateral extension 17a andlower lateral extension 17b with a substantially vertical connectingportion 17.

The upper ends of the several brackets'12 are secured in heads 21, 22and 23, which are substantially Hat in end view and which have atsuitable intervals apertures 24 for receiving the upper ends ot thebrackets 12 which may be secured in any desirable manner. ris will benoted 'from the drawing, the attaching brackets 17, 18 and 19 and alsothe co-operating members 21, 22 and 23, have the contacting edges formedas arcs ot circles, the center of which is at 25, so that the wholeswitch may be swung in an arcuatepath to effect perfect alignment of theselected switching connections. Extending in the direction of the lengthof the switch are reinforcing strips 26er a plate secured to the members21, 22 and 23 by means of the track brackets 12. For lateralstrengthening purposes, cross members 27, 28 may be provided, thesebeing attached at their ends by suitable means such as rivets 29 and atthe meeting points with rivets 30, the construction being intended toprovide a rigid, strong and easily moved switch tongue. The bracket 19supports the ends ot the round track members 5a and 5b ot the main trackway 5, while the bracket 17 supports the ends ot the round track members6a, 6" and 7a, 7b of the track ways 6 and 7. Another bracket 31 issecured to the superstructure in the manner described with reference tobrackets 17, 18 and 19 and supports by means ot track brackets 12 theround track members of the track ways 6 and 7. The bracket 31 has alaterally extending lug 32 with an aperture therein through which passesabolt 33 which secures an arm 34 thereto, the other end of the arm beingsecured to the member 24. The securing may be b v means of rivets orother means, or it desirable the arm 34 may be cast integrally with themember 24. This construction ties` the switch to the bracket 31 so as tosecure the switch in position tor alignment at. all times with the trackways 5, 6 and 7, and the bolt 33 serves as a pivot 25 about which theswitch may be swung as a center. As shown in the drawings, the switch isswung to such position that they tra-ck way 5 is connected with thetrack way 7 by means of the switch member B, so that the carrier may betransferred Jtrom the track way 5 to the track way 7 or vice versa. Thisconstruct-ion is sufiiciently strong to support any load on the switchwhich may be supported by any of the track ways of the carrier system.

1t is desirable to provide Vmeans for lock ing the switch in switchingposition so that a carrier passing thereover will not be dis-- placed byreason of failure of either of the switch members A or B to registerwith the track ways ot the system. I have shown one form ot lockingmeans for accomplishing this purpose. In the bracket member 19 1 providea plunger 35 having a head 36 with a spring 37 surrounding the stem ofthe plunger. The bracket carries a depending lug 3S against which oneend of the spring 37 engages, this construction torni-- ing a springpressed plunger which is main tained normally in outward position. Inthe bracket 23 and in the face thereof which contacts the verticalmember' 19c thereof, are provided pockets 39 and 40 to be engagedrespectively by the plunger under certain conditions, In Figure l it maybe observed that the plunger is in engagement with the pocket 40, thuspreventing lateral displacement of the switch member with respect to t'the track way 5. For retracting the plunger to permit the switch to beswung to bring the track way 6 into co-operation with the track way 5, aslidable member 4l is supported on top of the member 23. This member hasslots 42 and 43 formed therein, through whichslots pins 44 and 45project. The heads of the pins are enlarged to prevent displacement ofthe member 4l from engagement with the member 23. The member 4l is a camand has at each end in` clined portions 46 and 47. The inclined portions46 and 47 of the cam 4l and the slots 42 and 43 are so arranged thatwhen the plunger 85 is in engagement with the recess the member 4l willbe in the position shown in Figure l. For moving the member 4l toretract the plunger when the switch is in the position of Figure 1 thereis provided a chain or other flexible member 48 which is secured to themember 4l as shown and which forconvenience may pass over a. pully 49supported in a bracket 50 and may have a handle 5l for grasping by theoperator, so that when the handle 51 is pulled downwardly the member 4lwill slide towards the bottom of the sheet as viewed in Figure l,bringing the cam 46 in engagement with a roller' 52 mounted on 'the toof the plunger 35, whereupon continued pulling' of the chain will causethe plunger to be retracted until the face 53 of the cam 4l engages theplunger whereupon the switch may be swung so that the switch member Awill connect track ways 5 and 6. When the switch has been swung to thisposition the plunger will then engage the recess 39 and maintain theswitch in position. To swing the switch back so that track ways 5 and 7may be connected, a chain 48 is secured to the other end of the member4l and is actuated to pull'the member 4l against the roller 52 towithdraw the plun er from engagement with the recess 39, w ereupon theswitch may then be moved to the position shown in Figure l.

It will be noted that the ends of the round track members 6, 6b and 7a,7b of the track ways 6 and 7 are cut on an arc in plan, the center ofwhich arc is the pivot 25. In like manner the adjacent ends of theswitchmembers A and B are cut to correspond to the ends of the trackmembers 6 and 7, so as to secure a smooth Joint and at Vthe time permitthe swinging of the switch to effect switching conditions.

By reference to Figure I, it may be noted that when the switch is inposition to connect track ways 5 and 7 the track member the end of themember 8 lies in the pathof the carrier hanger. The ends of the meinbers A and B at theother end of the switch are so positioned as toprevent both of the track members 5El and 5b of the track wayL 5 frombeing uncovered at the same time to permit a carrier thereon fromrunning oil. The switch, therefore, serves as a means for guarding theopen ends of tracks and preventing derailment of a carrier at theswitch.

It will be observed that my invention pro` vides a tongue switch forround track ovcrhead carriers, which permits quick changing of switchingconditions and which is sufficiently rigid to support the maximum loadwhich the system is capable of carrying. Furthermore, the novelconstruction of the switch prevents derailment of a carrier and guardsthe open ends of all tracks, even though the switch members may not bein register with any two of the track ways meeting at the switch.

While I have described more or less precisely the details ofconstruction of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion ofparts and substitution of equivalents as circumstances may Vsuggest orrender expedient without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

Y l. In an overhead carrier system, in combination, a pair of ways, asingle way spaced therefrom, a switch co-operating with said ways fordirecting a carrier from one way to another, said switch comprising apair of tracks arranged with one end in pivotal association with saidpair of ways7 and the other end movable to bring either of said pair yofways into association with said single way. v

2. In an overhead carrier system, in com` bination, a pair of ways, asingle way spaced therefrom, a switch co-operating with said ways fordirecting a carrier from one way to another, said switch comprising apair of tracks arranged with one end in association with said pair ofways, and the other end movable to bring either of said pair of waysinto association with said single way; said parts being arranged in suchmanner that when said switch is in position to connect selected Ways theinoperative track serves as a stop to prevent derailnient ot a carrier yon another way.

3. ln a round track overhead carrier system, in combination, a inaintrack and a plurality of branch tracks, -a switch tongue adapted toconnect said. inain track with an)T one of said branches, said tonguebeing pivotally connected tue ends` of the branch tracks and adapted toswing in an arcuate path, the parts being arranged in such manner thatsaid tongue niajv bloc-k the ends o1"- all of said tracks While beingswung from one switching position to an` other.

4;. In a round track overheatl carrier sys# teni, in combination, a maintrack and a plurality ot branch tracks, a switch tongue adapted toconnect said rnain track with anyv one ot said branches7 said tonguebeing` pivotally connected near the ends ot the branch tracks andadapted to swing in an arcuate path, the parts being arranged in suchmanner that said tongue may block the ends ot all ot said tracks Whilebeing swung from one switching` position to another. and a loc-kco-operating With the rnain track for locking the tongue in selectedswitching position.

5a A switch tor garallel track overhead :system-s7 including a tonguehaving as many Qairs of parallel trackways as there branch tracks, saidtongue tracks being sup` ported from overhead brackets cocperating withlined brackets on a superstructure. said tongue adapted to swing in anarcuate path the center of which back o1"- the ends et the branch track7the ends oi the branch track and the adjacent ends of the track switchesbeing convex concave arcs and the endsV ot the inain track and adjacenttongue tracks being convex concave arcs, the centers of said arcs beingthe pivot et said tongue.

6. A switch for overhead parallel track carrier s vstel'ns. including atongue adapted to connect a niain track with anyv one ot several branchtracks7 the said tongue 1naving as inanj7 tracks ot parallel inenibersas there are branch tracks, supports tor said tongue tracks dependingfrom brackets, said brackets adapted to have sliding engagement withbrackets secured to the superstructure, and said tongue brackets beingjoined by longitudinally extending braces for forming a unitarystructure.

Signed at Danville, lllinois, tl is 18th day of July, 1921.

ROY BURTON OLDER.

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